Mauricio Pochettino
Klopp and Pochettino were frequent opponents during the latter’s spells at Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. In fact, Klopp’s first match as Reds boss – back in October 2015 – came against Pochettino at White Hart Lane. Fourteen meetings overall included the 2019 Champions League final in Madrid and the Carabao Cup final at Wembley in 2024, both of which Liverpool were victorious in.
“Of course [I will miss him],” said Pochettino. “Because I think always to face him and Liverpool was a nice challenge. A nice challenge to prepare in a tactical way but also in the way that he is on the touchline, it was always a good challenge to be there. When you share the space next to him, you feel he’s a special guy, special character, that is so good and we are going to miss him because of that also.
“We crossed messages at times. He was so nice in the moment that I left Tottenham. I think it was the first message that always you appreciate forever, he was very warm and of course there was a connection, the first time that he played and we met in October 2015. There was a connection, a good feeling and every time we met we had very good chats in between. We need to remember him because I think he’s such a nice guy, so good and we need to remember him with a big smile.”
Arsene Wenger
Klopp’s fledgling years at Anfield overlapped with Wenger’s final few seasons as Arsenal manager, meaning the two faced off on just five occasions – and Klopp emerged from that quintet of encounters with three wins and two draws. Much like Ferguson, respect and admiration is reciprocated between Klopp and Wenger, who has spent time as a guest at the AXA Training Centre.
“I observe managers as well, how they behave during games – the first impression I had from him was a guy who has a strong character and knows what he wants, and can dictate his ideas and convince people that what he thinks is right,” said Wenger. “He has shown that over the years at Liverpool. And as well, I looked at a guy who is simple, who doesn’t play a role; is himself, is true with his beliefs.”
The Frenchman continued: “The biggest respect you can have for somebody is – of course he achieved success – but it’s as well about the fact that you know he gave his best for the club. He based his career on what are important qualities, for me: integrity, commitment, loyalty and respect. He was true to these four qualities that, for me, are absolutely vital.”
Mikel Arteta
Arteta was in coaching opposition for the majority of Klopp’s Liverpool reign, first serving as an assistant to Guardiola at Manchester City for three-and-a-half years from the summer of 2016, a spell that saw the clubs compete so intensely. The Spaniard then took charge of Arsenal and directly faced Klopp’s Reds 14 times across four different competitions.
“From a tactical aspect, a lot of our headaches were related to: how you are going to break the press?” he recalled. “They were a really intense, really effective side at winning the ball really high up the pitch and when they did that you knew what was going to happen. You’re going to be on the back foot in open spaces against three very fast and vertical players that are going to cause you problems.
“He was everything, I think his side are always highly described in the way that they defend with counter-pressing but I think Jürgen’s evolution as well on that team has been much bigger than that. Very difficult to prepare things against him.”
Arteta added of Klopp’s impact: “I would use the word legacy… a monumental influence on English football. A very special personality with such a charisma, such an energy and the capacity to inspire a club that was in a moment navigating through some difficult scenarios and he completely transformed it. He transformed it in a way that united the whole club. [He] brought something very different to the Premier League and certainly inspired coaches, certainly me.”
